Col. Joe E. Johnson, 81, Universal City, retired USAF colonel, former USAA vice-president and devoted civic and community leader, passed away January 3 at Esplanade Gardens in Converse.
The Universal City United Methodist Church, 90 Winn Ave, will host a memorial service at 4:00 p.m. January 23. The family will conduct a private burial on a later date at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery.
Born and raised in Mt. Vernon, Illinois, Johnson used his basketball skills to rise above poverty and the coal mines. Both his father and grandfather were miners. As a guard, his high school teams won back-to-back state titles in 1949-50 and a third-place finish in 1952, at a time when Illinois crowned only one state champion.
His play earned him an athletic scholarship to Southern Illinois University where he played both basketball and participated in the ROTC program. Johnson served as team captain and earned first-team all-conference honors as a guard for the Salukis. He earned a commission upon graduation in 1956, beginning a career that spanned 26 years in the Air Force during which time he developed a reputation as a leader and pacesetter.
Johnson flew in the historic "Congo Airlift" in 1960, transporting UN forces, food and medical supplies to the embattled Belgian Congo in Africa.
He returned to SIU in 1964 as an ROTC instructor. In 1967, SIU's education foundation presented Johnson with its Fifth Annual Foundation Recognition Award for going "beyond the course of duty".
Johnson's next stop was Vietnam in 1967. As a major, he flew nearly 1,000 combat hours delivering troops and materials to forward areas, earning him the Distinguished Flying Cross and a Presidential Unit Citation. In all, Johnson flew over 6,500 hours in his career
Other medals awarded to Johnson for service in Vietnam include three Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards with "V" for Valor, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm, five Air Medals for "meritorious achievement", Air Force Commendation Medal for "outstanding devotion to duty", and the first of four Meritorious Service medals that he would receive in his career for "outstanding service" to his country.
Following Vietnam, Johnson served as deputy chief of staff for Military Airlift Command Operations at Scott AFB in Illinois. White on temporary assignment to the war college in Alabama in 1974-75, Lt. Col. Johnson earned his master's degree from Auburn University.
In 1978, he was promoted to colonel and named Major Command Director of Personnel Programs at Scott AFB. In 1979, Johnson was transferred to the Air Force Manpower Utilization Policy and Control Division at Randolph AFB. As chief of Assignments and Manpower, he oversaw policy decisions for the worldwide assignment of 500,000 Air Force officers and crewman. While at Randolph, he received the Legion of Merit.
In 1982, Johnson faced a transfer to the Pentagon while at the same time, an offer to join USAA, a fortune 100 company. Col. Johnson opted to retire from the Air Force and join USAA.
While at USAA, Johnson was promoted in 1986 to vice president of Life and Health Insurance, Annuities, Regulatory Affairs and a Call Center. He retired from USAA in 1992.
Johnson served several volunteer roles in Universal City. He was a long-time member and chair of the Planning and Zoning Commission and also chaired the Board of Adjustments. He helped push for a new animal shelter that was dedicated in 2008 and he helped raise funds to install youth football and soccer fields in the Universal City Park.
He devoted time and energy to the Judson School District. He spearheaded the initiative that led to the renaming of the district football stadium after D.W. Rutledge and Sports Complex after Frank Arnold. Rutledge and Arnold combined for five of Judson's six state football championships.
In 2009, Southern Illinois University presented Johnson with its prestigious Distinguished Alumni Award, highlighting a sterling career.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Wounded Warriors Project or Universal City United Methodist Church.
The Universal City United Methodist Church, 90 Winn Ave, will host a memorial service at 4:00 p.m. January 23. The family will conduct a private burial on a later date at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery.
Born and raised in Mt. Vernon, Illinois, Johnson used his basketball skills to rise above poverty and the coal mines. Both his father and grandfather were miners. As a guard, his high school teams won back-to-back state titles in 1949-50 and a third-place finish in 1952, at a time when Illinois crowned only one state champion.
His play earned him an athletic scholarship to Southern Illinois University where he played both basketball and participated in the ROTC program. Johnson served as team captain and earned first-team all-conference honors as a guard for the Salukis. He earned a commission upon graduation in 1956, beginning a career that spanned 26 years in the Air Force during which time he developed a reputation as a leader and pacesetter.
Johnson flew in the historic "Congo Airlift" in 1960, transporting UN forces, food and medical supplies to the embattled Belgian Congo in Africa.
He returned to SIU in 1964 as an ROTC instructor. In 1967, SIU's education foundation presented Johnson with its Fifth Annual Foundation Recognition Award for going "beyond the course of duty".
Johnson's next stop was Vietnam in 1967. As a major, he flew nearly 1,000 combat hours delivering troops and materials to forward areas, earning him the Distinguished Flying Cross and a Presidential Unit Citation. In all, Johnson flew over 6,500 hours in his career
Other medals awarded to Johnson for service in Vietnam include three Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards with "V" for Valor, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm, five Air Medals for "meritorious achievement", Air Force Commendation Medal for "outstanding devotion to duty", and the first of four Meritorious Service medals that he would receive in his career for "outstanding service" to his country.
Following Vietnam, Johnson served as deputy chief of staff for Military Airlift Command Operations at Scott AFB in Illinois. White on temporary assignment to the war college in Alabama in 1974-75, Lt. Col. Johnson earned his master's degree from Auburn University.
In 1978, he was promoted to colonel and named Major Command Director of Personnel Programs at Scott AFB. In 1979, Johnson was transferred to the Air Force Manpower Utilization Policy and Control Division at Randolph AFB. As chief of Assignments and Manpower, he oversaw policy decisions for the worldwide assignment of 500,000 Air Force officers and crewman. While at Randolph, he received the Legion of Merit.
In 1982, Johnson faced a transfer to the Pentagon while at the same time, an offer to join USAA, a fortune 100 company. Col. Johnson opted to retire from the Air Force and join USAA.
While at USAA, Johnson was promoted in 1986 to vice president of Life and Health Insurance, Annuities, Regulatory Affairs and a Call Center. He retired from USAA in 1992.
Johnson served several volunteer roles in Universal City. He was a long-time member and chair of the Planning and Zoning Commission and also chaired the Board of Adjustments. He helped push for a new animal shelter that was dedicated in 2008 and he helped raise funds to install youth football and soccer fields in the Universal City Park.
He devoted time and energy to the Judson School District. He spearheaded the initiative that led to the renaming of the district football stadium after D.W. Rutledge and Sports Complex after Frank Arnold. Rutledge and Arnold combined for five of Judson's six state football championships.
In 2009, Southern Illinois University presented Johnson with its prestigious Distinguished Alumni Award, highlighting a sterling career.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Wounded Warriors Project or Universal City United Methodist Church.
Col. Joe E. Johnson, 81, Universal City, retired USAF colonel, former USAA vice-president and devoted civic and community leader, passed away January 3 at Esplanade Gardens in Converse.
The Universal City United Methodist Church, 90 Winn Ave, will host a memorial service at 4:00 p.m. January 23. The family will conduct a private burial on a later date at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery.
Born and raised in Mt. Vernon, Illinois, Johnson used his basketball skills to rise above poverty and the coal mines. Both his father and grandfather were miners. As a guard, his high school teams won back-to-back state titles in 1949-50 and a third-place finish in 1952, at a time when Illinois crowned only one state champion.
His play earned him an athletic scholarship to Southern Illinois University where he played both basketball and participated in the ROTC program. Johnson served as team captain and earned first-team all-conference honors as a guard for the Salukis. He earned a commission upon graduation in 1956, beginning a career that spanned 26 years in the Air Force during which time he developed a reputation as a leader and pacesetter.
Johnson flew in the historic "Congo Airlift" in 1960, transporting UN forces, food and medical supplies to the embattled Belgian Congo in Africa.
He returned to SIU in 1964 as an ROTC instructor. In 1967, SIU's education foundation presented Johnson with its Fifth Annual Foundation Recognition Award for going "beyond the course of duty".
Johnson's next stop was Vietnam in 1967. As a major, he flew nearly 1,000 combat hours delivering troops and materials to forward areas, earning him the Distinguished Flying Cross and a Presidential Unit Citation. In all, Johnson flew over 6,500 hours in his career
Other medals awarded to Johnson for service in Vietnam include three Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards with "V" for Valor, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm, five Air Medals for "meritorious achievement", Air Force Commendation Medal for "outstanding devotion to duty", and the first of four Meritorious Service medals that he would receive in his career for "outstanding service" to his country.
Following Vietnam, Johnson served as deputy chief of staff for Military Airlift Command Operations at Scott AFB in Illinois. White on temporary assignment to the war college in Alabama in 1974-75, Lt. Col. Johnson earned his master's degree from Auburn University.
In 1978, he was promoted to colonel and named Major Command Director of Personnel Programs at Scott AFB. In 1979, Johnson was transferred to the Air Force Manpower Utilization Policy and Control Division at Randolph AFB. As chief of Assignments and Manpower, he oversaw policy decisions for the worldwide assignment of 500,000 Air Force officers and crewman. While at Randolph, he received the Legion of Merit.
In 1982, Johnson faced a transfer to the Pentagon while at the same time, an offer to join USAA, a fortune 100 company. Col. Johnson opted to retire from the Air Force and join USAA.
While at USAA, Johnson was promoted in 1986 to vice president of Life and Health Insurance, Annuities, Regulatory Affairs and a Call Center. He retired from USAA in 1992.
Johnson served several volunteer roles in Universal City. He was a long-time member and chair of the Planning and Zoning Commission and also chaired the Board of Adjustments. He helped push for a new animal shelter that was dedicated in 2008 and he helped raise funds to install youth football and soccer fields in the Universal City Park.
He devoted time and energy to the Judson School District. He spearheaded the initiative that led to the renaming of the district football stadium after D.W. Rutledge and Sports Complex after Frank Arnold. Rutledge and Arnold combined for five of Judson's six state football championships.
In 2009, Southern Illinois University presented Johnson with its prestigious Distinguished Alumni Award, highlighting a sterling career.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Wounded Warriors Project or Universal City United Methodist Church.
The Universal City United Methodist Church, 90 Winn Ave, will host a memorial service at 4:00 p.m. January 23. The family will conduct a private burial on a later date at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery.
Born and raised in Mt. Vernon, Illinois, Johnson used his basketball skills to rise above poverty and the coal mines. Both his father and grandfather were miners. As a guard, his high school teams won back-to-back state titles in 1949-50 and a third-place finish in 1952, at a time when Illinois crowned only one state champion.
His play earned him an athletic scholarship to Southern Illinois University where he played both basketball and participated in the ROTC program. Johnson served as team captain and earned first-team all-conference honors as a guard for the Salukis. He earned a commission upon graduation in 1956, beginning a career that spanned 26 years in the Air Force during which time he developed a reputation as a leader and pacesetter.
Johnson flew in the historic "Congo Airlift" in 1960, transporting UN forces, food and medical supplies to the embattled Belgian Congo in Africa.
He returned to SIU in 1964 as an ROTC instructor. In 1967, SIU's education foundation presented Johnson with its Fifth Annual Foundation Recognition Award for going "beyond the course of duty".
Johnson's next stop was Vietnam in 1967. As a major, he flew nearly 1,000 combat hours delivering troops and materials to forward areas, earning him the Distinguished Flying Cross and a Presidential Unit Citation. In all, Johnson flew over 6,500 hours in his career
Other medals awarded to Johnson for service in Vietnam include three Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards with "V" for Valor, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm, five Air Medals for "meritorious achievement", Air Force Commendation Medal for "outstanding devotion to duty", and the first of four Meritorious Service medals that he would receive in his career for "outstanding service" to his country.
Following Vietnam, Johnson served as deputy chief of staff for Military Airlift Command Operations at Scott AFB in Illinois. White on temporary assignment to the war college in Alabama in 1974-75, Lt. Col. Johnson earned his master's degree from Auburn University.
In 1978, he was promoted to colonel and named Major Command Director of Personnel Programs at Scott AFB. In 1979, Johnson was transferred to the Air Force Manpower Utilization Policy and Control Division at Randolph AFB. As chief of Assignments and Manpower, he oversaw policy decisions for the worldwide assignment of 500,000 Air Force officers and crewman. While at Randolph, he received the Legion of Merit.
In 1982, Johnson faced a transfer to the Pentagon while at the same time, an offer to join USAA, a fortune 100 company. Col. Johnson opted to retire from the Air Force and join USAA.
While at USAA, Johnson was promoted in 1986 to vice president of Life and Health Insurance, Annuities, Regulatory Affairs and a Call Center. He retired from USAA in 1992.
Johnson served several volunteer roles in Universal City. He was a long-time member and chair of the Planning and Zoning Commission and also chaired the Board of Adjustments. He helped push for a new animal shelter that was dedicated in 2008 and he helped raise funds to install youth football and soccer fields in the Universal City Park.
He devoted time and energy to the Judson School District. He spearheaded the initiative that led to the renaming of the district football stadium after D.W. Rutledge and Sports Complex after Frank Arnold. Rutledge and Arnold combined for five of Judson's six state football championships.
In 2009, Southern Illinois University presented Johnson with its prestigious Distinguished Alumni Award, highlighting a sterling career.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Wounded Warriors Project or Universal City United Methodist Church.
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